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Avon Planning Commission continues hearing on Star Avon storage addition, seeks Fire Marshal review and trail plans
Summary
Star Avon LLC seeks a building addition that would raise lot coverage from 16% to 28.5% for a climate‑controlled self‑storage facility; commissioners continued the special‑exception/site‑plan hearing and requested a Fire Marshal statement, trail connection options, and a marked scorecard for Phase 1 vs Phase 2 evaluation.
The Planning and Zoning Commission continued its public hearing on Star Avon LLC’s application for a building addition at 60 Security Drive after hearing a presentation and technical questions from staff and commissioners.
Applicant Scott Cresswell and engineer Marcus Puttock described converting an existing industrial building to climate‑controlled self‑storage and seeking special‑exception relief to increase lot coverage. "The existing building coverage is 16% - the proposed single‑story building addition would bring the total building coverage to 28.5%," Puttock said, and staff noted the IP zone coverage standard is 20% with Phase 1 requesting 25% and Phase 2 requesting 28.5% coverage.
Owners said the conversion is intended to reduce overall occupant and vehicle intensity compared with a manufacturing use and that design elements aim for low operating costs. "We design and build our structures with that in mind because having operating costs as low as possible is how we make up margins," owner Andrew Maggiore said. The applicant also described stormwater and water‑reclamation measures and said the project is designed to meet LEED principles, with staff noting LEED certification level will be specified later by the Building Official.
Commissioners pressed the applicant on site details. Puttock confirmed that the sanitary sewer will need to be rerouted for the addition, that some frontage trees (about six) are proposed to be removed and replanted, and that the building will be fully sprinklered with CO and NO detectors. Commissioner Jamie DiPace flagged concerns about fire apparatus access and noted past fires at the building; Puttock and Cresswell said plans will be reviewed with the Fire Marshal and will comply with all Fire Code requirements.
The applicant offered to grant an easement and to assist in extending the Farmington River trail adjacent to the site, but staff cautioned that any trail crossing or bridge work may require state engineering review and grant funding. Commissioners discussed whether to prioritize improving the existing crossing and lighting versus a longer bridge solution.
Chair Lisa Levin asked staff to provide, for the next meeting: a written statement from the Fire Marshal addressing access and code issues, options or a sketch showing how a trail connection could be established or tied to the trailhead, a review of the five Special Exception criteria, and a marked scorecard following meetings with Building and Fire officials so the Commission can evaluate Phase 1 and Phase 2 requests. With no public comment, Commissioner Randall Bowers moved to continue App. #5055 to the next meeting; the motion carried.
The hearing remains open pending the requested materials and formal review by the Building and Fire Departments.
